Chapter 488 – Someone that looks familiar (1/2)

Afternoon.

Japan, Tokyo International Airport.

After leaving the immigration and collecting their luggage, they saw two young men holding a Chinese sign outside. These two men are there to fetch the staff from the Investment Promotion Agencies. They are from the City’s Agency and had arrived earlier to make preparations. There is a group of people standing in front of them who looks familiar to Dong Xuebing. He had met some of them during a meeting at the City Investment Promotion Agency. They were on the same flight, but they boarded the plane last and were seated at the front.

Dong Xuebing walks over to them with Zhang Fan, Yu Rui, and Luo Haiting following behind.

“Chief Dong? How come I did not see you all during boarding?”

“We are delayed at the customs.”

“It’s good that you can make it on time. Alright. Everyone is here.”

The person talking to Dong Xuebing is a middle-aged man in his forties and is wearing an expensive suit. Dong Xuebing had never spoken to him before. He had only attended a City Investment Promotion Agency meeting once and know this person is Pang Zhengyi, the Nan Shan District Investment Promotion Agency’s Chief. The staff from other districts also arrived, and a large group is formed.

It suddenly becomes chaotic when there is a big group.

All the Chiefs, regardless of their districts or Counties, are holding the same rank, and there is no one to lead them. All the Chiefs have their plans, and some even started arguing.

The argument is over a minor issue.

Although the staff had arrived in Japan earlier and is at the airport to receive them, they did not arrange transportation. They do not have an office in Japan, and everyone has to take a taxi. But a dispute arises over where they should go first. Some want to go to the hotel, but some want to visit the venue. They are afraid the venue cannot be set up in time for tomorrow’s fair.

Dong Xuebing did not join in the argument and walked out to have a smoke.

Zhang Fan notices Dong Xuebing taking out his cigarette and quickly took out a lighter. But Luo Haiting snatched the lighter from him and lit the cigarette.

“Thank you.” Dong Xuebing took a few puffs and felt better.

Luo Haiting is upset over the incident earlier and felt she had caused trouble for Dong Xuebing. She kept the lighter in her bag and told Zhang Fan that she needs it to light Chief Dong’s cigarettes next time.

“Japan’s air quality is quite good.”

“That’s right. I can feel it the moment we got off the plane.”

The four of them chatted and joked, while the rest are arguing not far from them. Dong Xuebing might be infamous in Yan Tai County, but he had not caused any trouble in the City. Many of them know Yan Tai County’s Investment Promotion Agency had achieved outstanding results this year under his leadership, and some heard he is aggressive. But they don’t know much about him.

Ten minutes later, there is a conclusion.

It seems that Nan Shan District’s Investment Promotion Agency’s Chief Pang Zhengyi had suggested hiring a bus while they take taxis to the hotel to drop their luggage. The bus will then send them to the venue from the hotel.

Dong Xuebing is fine with it and asked Yu Rui to note the hotel’s address before boarding a taxi.

Yu Rui told the driver the address, and the driver nodded.

Luo Haiting suddenly moved closer and whispered. “Chief Pang Zhengyi… is Da Feng County’s former Investment Promotion Agency’s Chief Pang’s cousin.”

Dong Xuebing was surprised. “Huh? Really?”

“I think so. But they didn’t seem to be close from what I heard.”

Dong Xuebing nodded and made a mental note. He causes pang Zhou’s dismissal, and Pang Zhengyi should not have a good impression of him. But he did not notice anything amiss from their interactions earlier. He asked Luo Haiting about the rest of the group, but she does not know most of them.

……

Hotel.

Dong Xuebing took a hot shower in his room after dropping off his luggage.

This should be a 5-stars hotel which is booked by the local authorities. But they did not arrange buses and other services for them, and Dong Xuebing felt this is unacceptable. When Japanese investors went to Yan Tai County, Xiang Daofa received them and made all sorts of arrangements.

Dong Xuebing’s phone rang when he was drying his hair.

“Hello, who’s that?”

“I’m Pang Zhengyi. Are you Chief Dong?”

“Oh, Chief Pang.” Dong Xuebing narrowed his eyes. “It’s me.”

“The bus is here, but there are some issues with the venue’s electrical system, and it will be shut down in the afternoon. Today’s schedule is temporarily canceled.”